Will wax work?
Gauss'
I have to clean the hull of an 18' Thunderbird bow-rider that has been
sitting in a yard for nearly a year without a cover. Now that the
woodwork is re-done I'm ready to undertake the cleaning of the hull.
I've been told that paste-wax is the way to go on this but I first have
to use a cleaner. I'm also told that fibreglass can oxidize although I
find that a little hard to believe. Is it true? Does anyone have any
advice on what procedure I should follow? Any help...thanks. Rob.
Jeff Coppes
You bet fiberglass oxidizes, and how!! If your boat has been exposed to
UV for a year with no protection, I can guarantee there is some
oxidation of the surface of the gelcoat. What you need to establish
first is how extensive the oxidation is. To do this wash the boat with
a good, strong boatwash product, rinse, and allow to dry. Then inspect.
If the surface is quite flat (non-glossy) and you can extract a small
amount of whitish material by rubbing your fingers over the surface, you
have extensive oxidation. If the surface is still somewhat glossy, you
may have minor oxidation.
Severe oxidation will require the use of progressively finer fiberglass
rubbing compounds. Start with a fairly coarse compound and polish with
a power wheel. Then remove the residue, and repeat with a finer
compound. Again remove residue and finish with a fine polishing
compound. I prefer to use the wheel for the last step as well, but some
masochists prefer to do it by hand. Then apply several coats of
high-quality paste wax to preserve your shine.
If mildly oxidized, a mild polishing compound applied by wheel or by
hand will have good results. There is a product called Buff Magic which
I use with a wheel and my gel looks new. Meguiar and others also have
good polishing compounds for mild oxidation. Check with West Marine.
The very mildest compounds are often called 'color restorers.'
In answer to your original question, paste wax, such as Collinite Fleet
Wax, is ideal for protecting fiberglass, but it will not make oxidized
gelcoat shine. In fact if you try to use it on oxidized gel, you will
play hell in trying to rub it off.
Good luck,
Jeff
leesd
Yes, you really should use a formula for cleaning. And, while fiberglass
doesn't oxidize, the gelcoat that you are cleaning on the surface of the
fiberglass does oxidize (for lack of a better description). The fiberglass
is the base material.
Any good marine chandlery will have a good selection of products for
cleaning gelcoat coatings on fiberglass.
Gauss' <c...@adnc.com> wrote in article <332B8C...@adnc.com>...
Teak Doctor
In article <01bc3226$764dfda0$6b94...@dl5.nh.ultranet.com>,
le...@nh.ultranet.com says...
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Marine Protective Coatings of Cape Ann
mp...@shore.net (508) 283-9276 FAX (508) 281-3555
The Teak Doctor <http://www.shore.net/~mpcca/mpcca.htm
Teak Doctor Advice Column --- Answers to your teak problems.
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Hi: I advise you not use the rubbing compounds,they remove a part of the
Gel coat every time you use them,it is like using 2 part cleaners on
teak they do damage to the soft grain,and eventually you will have to
sand,you do not need to use harsh abrasives to clean the oxidation
there are good water based fiberglass cleaners that will do the job
without removing part of the Gel coat.
send ma a fax number or an adress and I will send you some literture.
Teak Doctor/F.G.I. Fibre Glass Investigation